Why We Love It
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$21,810Potential Avg. Salary
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0.6%Job Growth Rate
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Growing DemandJob Outlook
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Flexible HoursCareer Attribute
A blackjack dealer is in charge of dealing games of Blackjack and poker to meet the expectations of guests while keeping to Minimum Internal Gaming Controls.
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What is a Blackjack Dealer?
Duties
A blackjack dealer must have the following duties:
- Take a close look at all currency from guests, exchanges for game tokens, and place cash in secure drop box to ensure safety of cash items.
- Be social with customers (e.g. smile, thank and make eye contact) when interacting with them for tokens and wish them when they leave your gaming table.
- Deal the game of Blackjack as per organisational guest service standards and procedures to preserve the integrity of the game.
- Keep the floor supervisor, team lead and shift manager informed of important updates like disputes among players, gaming irregularities, credit card rejections and guest requests.
- Maintain a clear understanding of casino procedures, policies and of each game dealt.
Day in the Life
Blackjack dealers have different tasks depending on their workplace. You will spend most of the day dealing cards for table games like blackjack and poker. You may occasionally operate a roulette wheel or help guests with various slot machines. The casino environment is extremely fast-paced and blackjack dealers are at the center of the action, dealing and operating multiple games at one time.
Your focus is also to ensure that patrons have a welcoming and comfortable experience at the casino yet you must have a keen eye and spot those who are disobeying the rules. Not only is your knowledge of the game and the casino’s rules vital to function in this role, you must be able to communicate clearly and entertain at the same time. Once in a while, you will deal with guests who are drunk or rude and as a casino dealer you must take such behavior with a grain of salt.
Work Schedule
You will work in shifts as a blackjack dealer, including on evenings, weekends and holidays, since casinos are open at all times of the year. The shifts you have to work can be up to 8 hours long and you have to work a gaming table for an hour before a short 20 minutes break.
In this work environment, you will be regularly exposed to second hand tobacco smoke and fumes. There are also moderate noise levels at casinos. While fulfilling the responsibilities of this role, you may have to stand for long periods, use your hands to handle and feel, reach with arms and talk frequently with guests.
Growth of the Job
As per the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, openings for blackjack and other gaming dealers are expected to grow at 1% between 2014-2024. The growing gaming industry has the potential for various opportunities to advance. Alternate career paths for a blackjack dealer with experience, includes roles such as pit boss, assistant manager, floor supervisor, customer service representatives, lodging managers, games manager, etc.
Typical Employers
Blackjack dealers are employed by casinos to provide gaming services such as card games, roulette, keno, baccarat, craps and dice.
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How To Become a Blackjack Dealer
Blackjack is one of the easier card games to master, within two weeks or less time. If you are a people person that can tackle the varied hours in a casino environment, then this job is a perfect fit for you. A blackjack dealer must at least have a high school diploma or its equivalent, to access promising job opportunities.
Most dealers today have completed a program at dealer school either funded by a casino or as part of a vocational school. Gaming programs are quite common in areas where casinos prosper and their duration is usually six weeks. The coursework will include casino game rules and local regulations.
All casino dealers should eventually obtain a license from the state gaming board. To process this license, dealers have to submit a proof of residence in the state they intend to work for and a photo ID. Background checks and a small free are also possible requirements for licensing. All dealers must have no criminal record and fulfill the age requirements of the state.
As new openings emerge, casinos often have open auditions for aspiring candidates and take account of several factors like your customer orientation, style and technical aptitude. The key is to have superior skills in simple math and a high attention to detail. You must also make an effort to improve your skill set and have a consistent track record.
Blackjack Dealer Salary Data
We’ve provided you the following to learn more about this career. The salary and growth data on this page comes from recently published Bureau of Labor Statistics data while the recommendations and editorial content are based on our research.
National Anual Salary
Low Range
$17,580Average
$21,810High Range
$34,780National Hourly Wage
Low Range
$8/hrAverage
$10/hrHigh Range
$17/hrHow do Blackjack Dealer salaries stack up to other jobs across the country? Based on the latest jobs data nationwide, Blackjack Dealer's can make an average annual salary of $21,810, or $10 per hour. This makes it an Above Average Salary. On the lower end, they can make $17,580 or $8 per hour, perhaps when just starting out or based on the state you live in.
Salary Rankings And Facts
#802 Nationally for All Careers
Highest Education Among Blackjack Dealers
- 0.2% Doctorate
- 1.3% Masters
- 12.6% Bachelors
- 9.9% Associates
- 32.6% College
- 32.5% High School
- 10.8% Less than High School
Job Growth Projections and Forecast
2014 Total Jobs
68,5002024 Est. Jobs
68,900Job Growth Rate
0.6%Est. New Jobs
400How does Blackjack Dealer job growth stack up to other jobs across the country? By 2024, there will be a change of 400 jobs for a total of 68,900 people employed in the career nationwide. This is a 0.6% change in growth over the next ten years, giving the career a growth rate nationwide of Below Average.
Growth Rankings And Facts
#588 Nationally for All Careers
What Companies Employ The Most Blackjack Dealers
| Industry | Current Jobs | New Jobs Needed | % Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Casino hotels | 35,300 | -1,300 | -1% |
| Gambling industries (except casino hotels) | 23,300 | 1,000 | 1% |
| Self-employed workers | 3,500 | 300 | 0% |
